Prayer to Destroy Pride

Father God, Thank You for opening my eyes to the Hebrew roots of pride and the Greek words that reveal its many forms. Pride is always the absence of wisdom and the absence of genuine love.

Where pride grows, love shrinks.
Where love shrinks, relationships fracture.
Where relationships fracture, the enemy rejoices.

Only you, Jehovah Rapha, heal the root.

Holy Father Abba in Heaven,
I come to You as Your daughter,
seeking deliverance from every form of pride—
seen and unseen, confessed and unconfessed,
known and hidden.

Lord, Your Word says clearly
“Love does not envy, love does not boast,
love is not proud.” (1 Corinthians 13:4)
So I ask You now:
Destroy everything in me and in Your daughters
that is not rooted in love.

By the power of Your Spirit,
tear down every high place
where we have lifted ourselves above another.

Strike down the swelling pride of ga’ōn
(Obadiah 1:3; Isaiah 16:6).

Bring low the lifted heart of rūm
(Deuteronomy 8:14; Obadiah 1:4).

Break the stubbornness of zādōn
(Psalm 119:21; Deuteronomy 17:12–13).

Soften the haughty eyes of gāvah
(Proverbs 21:4; Psalm 131:1).

And wash out the sourness of ḥāmatz
(Psalm 73:21 [“my heart was embittered”];
Exodus 12:15 as the leaven-warning tied to pride),
before it spreads into bitterness.

Lord, kill the bitter root.
Kill it completely.
Kill it at the source.
Do not let it grow back.
Do not let it entangle Your daughters
or choke out sisterhood, unity, and peace.

Holy Spirit, lay down a new foundation:
a foundation of humility,
a foundation of gentleness,
a foundation of wisdom from above—
pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason,
full of mercy and good fruit
(James 3:17).

Father, let Your love cast out every fear,
every comparison, every jealousy,
and every wound that pride tries to cover.

In the mighty name of Jesus,
I renounce all pride.
I renounce every bitter root.
I renounce every spirit that brings division.

Plant in me—and in every sister—
a heart that loves like You love,
that listens like You listen,
and that bows like You bowed
when You washed feet.

Let us love more and more by your perfect example.

Make us one, Lord.
Make us whole.
Make us healed.
And let Your Spirit guard our unity
with Your peace.

In the name of Jesus our Deliverer,
Amen.

Mat Three:Observation

Today was such a beautiful Wednesday. I went to get my hair done and had the sweetest, most meaningful conversation with Becky—my dear friend, my hairdresser, and the pastor’s wife at our church. Every visit with her feels like a little ministry moment—two hearts sharing stories, laughter, and faith.

Today was in particularly different in that I shared my Messianic experience when I learned Becky’s sister and three of her daughters are Messianic.

I didn’t have enough time to warm up and roll at jiu-jitsu today, but I still went and observed. And honestly, it felt like a spiritual experience just to watch. I saw how intention was born on the mat—how every shift of weight, every exchange of energy carried its own story. When partners switched, the entire rhythm changed—body type, flow, and balance transforming the interaction completely.

The loving way they taught and corrected one another reminded me so much of how the Lord disciplines us—not in harshness, but in love. Gently guiding, refining, shaping us through each encounter until strength and grace meet as one.

Even without stepping on the mat, I left feeling deeply connected—part of something living and breathing, a quiet lesson unfolding before me. Sometimes the holiest thing we can do is simply observe, and let His Spirit show us what we might have missed in motion.

Thank you, Jesus! As I wore my ONJJ “Positive Energy Activates Constant Energy” purple Tshirt- I must smile and giggle a pinch as the Blonde Polish Chick I am. The tshirt spells PEACE upside down. I see what you did there. #ISWYDT. I love you.

Joyce Chronicles Part II

Part One can be found by clicking this sentence. Three excellent questions posed at breakfast yesterday consumed me for more than seven plus hours! The first two questions are answered in the link.

Joyce’s third question was, “What is the significance of Shimei’s, 16 children, 16 sons and 6 daughters?”

The reference comes from 1 Chronicles 4:27 (in the genealogies of Simeon’s tribe):

Shimei had sixteen sons and six daughters, but his brothers did not have many children; so their whole clan did not become as numerous as the people of Judah.

To be fair, my husband prays 1 Chron 4:10 every night over us in bed. I have special love and some knowledge of 1 Chronicles. The Prayer of Jabez is powerful and yet very simple. He was named Jabez, which means “pain or sorrow”, as his mother bore him in pain. (verse 9) Rather than living with a name which did not suit his spirit, he prayed for reversal, asking God to turn his pain into blessing.

I digress. It happens. This post is not about Jabez, but Shimei. I sense a connection in the genealogies about redemption.

Shimei (שִׁמְעִי Shim‘i, is from the root שמע – shama, meaning “to hear, to listen, to obey”) was a descendant of Simeon. Simeon’s name also comes from shama.

This family line is literally the “hearing” lineage.

This alone sets the tone. He is the one who listens, or “is heard by God.” Linguistically speaking, the number of his descendants — 16 sons and 6 daughters — is a picture of fruitfulness through hearing and obedience. There is an entire golden thread in the Bible of how listening and yielding through obedience brings the Master’s Multiplication into play.

Numerically speaking, there is another treasure trove because “16” is a double blessing. The Number Eight in Hebrew numerology represents new beginnings, resurrection, covenant renewal (like the 8th day circumcision, the 8 souls on Noah’s Ark). So to me, this is a double blessing which amplifies that theme. Shimei’s line reflects restoration through listening.

Rather poetic, as my sweet Joyce may be the best listener I know, aside from Jesus!

What about the six daughters? The Number 6 represents much if you consider Genesis 1:24-31. Created on the 6th day, 6 represents man in his earthly nature. Looking at Exodus 20:9-10 and the Sabbath, it seems six represents the cycle of human effort and stewardship. There are also six directions to form the cube of creation ; north, south, east, west, up and down.

Spiritually speaking, the 16 sons represent a double blessing of new beginnings of those who hear God and the 6 daughters may represent the completion of that obedience expressed through compassionate nurturing.

Maybe the six daughters represent the human side of fruitfulness — compassion, nurturing, community, and earthly connection.

Either way, placed together, 16 + 6 = 22, and that’s not random. I don’t write that as if fact for all, but it is absolute fact for me. Nothing God does is random. If is precision. Our Master of the Universe is the epitome of precision.

There are precisely 22 letters in the Hebrew aleph-bet, the very building blocks of creation and communication.


If Shimei means to hear, then having 22 children total literally symbolizes “The fullness of God’s language heard and expressed in human life.”

It’s like saying: through listening (shama), the full alphabet of divine expression was birthed.

The text also notes that Shimei’s brothers didn’t multiply; not all who hear will bear fruit.


True hearing brings multiplication in both spirit and legacy. It’s reminiscent of Jesus’ parable: “The one who hears the word and understands it bears fruit — some thirty, sixty, a hundredfold.”

Shimei’s fruit is 22 children and it’s wonderful to imagine how full his branch is connected to the vine. What precious fruit!

Thank you, Jesus.

Not Forrest Gump’s Shrimping

Today was only my second class at One Nation Jiu-Jitsu. There is much to unpack.

BJJ Technique Focus: Shrimping (Hip Escape)

The shrimp, or hip escape, is one of the first movements every Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu student learns.
From your back, you press one foot into the mat, lift your hips, and slide them sideways while curling onto one shoulder.

The goal is to create space between you and the pressure holding you down. It looks small—but it’s the move that keeps you from being crushed.

I just learned that shrimping is an escape method and scooting can be offensive or defensive option.

Shrimping teaches that survival doesn’t come from strength. It comes from angle, timing, and breath.
You don’t fight pressure head-on; you shift, realign, and make room to breathe.
It’s the language of escape written into the mat.

📖 Scripture

“You brought me out into a spacious place; You rescued me because You delighted in me.”
— Psalm 18 : 19

💭 Reflection

When I shrimp, I feel it in my ribs first—breath meets resistance.
Every inch of space feels earned.
And that’s what the Spirit does inside us: He gives us room where the world tries to press us flat.

Sometimes God doesn’t lift the weight immediately.
He teaches us to move under pressure without losing peace, to shift our hips instead of panic, to create a little grace-space before the breakthrough.

The shrimp reminds me that freedom isn’t always dramatic; it’s often quiet, rhythmic, and deliberate.
Each small escape becomes worship in motion—breathing, turning, trusting.

🕊️ Coach Jesus Says

“When life pins you down, don’t freeze.
Breathe. Turn toward Me.
I’ll show you where the space is.
It’s not running away—it’s moving wisely.”

✨ Golden Nugget

“He sets my feet in a spacious place.” — Psalm 31 : 8
“Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” — 2 Corinthians 3 : 17

Shrimping is the gospel in motion—
God teaching us how to make space for grace when the weight of the world presses in.

That’s how it feels today.

Thank you, Jesus. I love you.

Seatbelts and Safety

I went to my second jiu-jitsu class today. Sadie and Sam were there, as was Mushaffa. It was helpful to hear Mushaffa’s growing process with BJJ. In fact, it was so encouraging, I went ahead and paid through December 15.

My husband fully supports me taking these classes. Added bonus- It was a stellar deal and provided me a tshirt, ONJJ Irreverent compression shirt and shorts.

This was the photo taken yesterday, maybe a minute or two after Mushaffa left.

Today’s class was four women and 11 men. While I observed them all rolling, My favorite lessons came from watching Mushaffa with Sadie and Sam with a male professor.

Truly, every person has a different style which makes sense based on body type. I love there is isn’t a “one size fits all” when it comes to “good jiu-jitsu”. What is “good” is indeed a very individual variable.

BJJ Technique Focus: Seatbelt

For things like definitions, it seems wise to use BJJ accepted definitions. To that end, I read several and this is the gist:

The seat belt is the foundation of back control.
One arm threads over the shoulder, the other under the arm. Hands clasp palm-to-palm across the chest as you press heart-to-back. Your head stays tight beside theirs; your chest follows their spine.

It’s called the seat belt because it keeps you connected through chaos.

Nudged to learn if anyone particular in BJJ made it famous and this was the response:

In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), the seat belt control position was popularized by Marcelo Garcia. While the grip itself may have existed in various grappling arts before, Garcia integrated it into a highly effective, modern system of attacks and transitions, making it a standard and essential part of the BJJ arsenal. 

Even if your opponent rolls, twists, or bucks, you stay attached—anchored, calm, and ready.

My life verse is Galatians 6:9: “And let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap, if we do not give up.”

I see how it applies here. #ISWYDT.

Control before victory. Connection before submission.

📖 Scripture

“I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”
— Philippians 3 : 12

Greek katalambanō = to seize firmly, to grasp with purpose.

💭 Reflection

When I learned the seat belt, it felt less like domination and more like devotion.
One arm over the shoulder—the arm of authority.
One arm under the heart—the arm of compassion.
Together they hold without harming, guiding without forcing.

That’s how God holds me.
He doesn’t choke me into obedience; He secures me into peace.
If I thrash, I lose connection.
If I breathe, I feel His rhythm.

The seat belt teaches me that staying connected is stronger than any submission.
Control comes through closeness, not power.

🕊️ Coach Jesus Says

“My grip on you isn’t to choke—it’s to keep you from falling.
I’m behind you in every scramble.
Breathe. Stay connected. I’ll guide you through.”

✨ Golden Nugget

“Your right hand upholds me.” — Psalm 63 : 8
“No one can snatch them out of My hand.” — John 10 : 28

His hold is holy.
The safest place on the mat—and in life—is under His seat belt of grace.

Jesús, thank you for getting me through the first two classes. Thank you for encouraging my husband to make me rest today. Getting to spend the whole afternoon with you has been beautiful.

First Mat

I went to church this morning without my husband. He wasn’t feeling well, so I told him I would carry him with me in spirit. After church I came home, made us lunch, and told him I was going to attend my very first jiu-jitsu class at One Nation Jiu-Jitsu.

At first he laughed, but later—just before I left—he told me how proud he was of me. Mark knows me well. Praise God.

When I arrived, there were two young students, two others maybe in their late 20s or 30s, and two female instructors, Sam and Sadie. Sadie was wonderful—encouraging, strong, and patient. She’s 38 and told me about “Jiu-Jitsu Grandma Elaine” from Alabama who began training around 62.

I looked her up; what an inspiration!

My training partners, Mushaffa and Lindsay, were amazing. We practiced the closed-guard position, using praying hands to sweep, push to the floor, and transition into a Kimura hold. They helped me every step of the way.

After drills I watched everyone roll and spar. It was fascinating—the flow, the respect, the controlled strength.

At one moment, there were three feet clearly coming from one leg as I watched Sam and Sadie spar. All I could think was about a chord of three strands and Ecclesiastes being brought to life.

I’m sore but so full of gratitude. Thank You, Lord, for the courage to step onto the mat, for new teachers and friends, and for the joy of trying something completely new.

The funniest moment was Sadie telling me Sam had figured I had some type of gymnastics background. I confirmed I could still do cartwheels, as I did for Linda in the Hickory Falls parking lot last night. One of the younger students said she could do a cartwheel, as well. I said, “yes and that’s fantastic …but you are not 57 years old””. She might be 10-11 and said, yes I am 57! 🤣🤣🤣

I went home to rest for a half hour before visiting with my JoJo. What a blessing to listen to good music with good friends and make dinner from cheese, crackers and grapes.

Thank you, Jesus, for every little thing. I love you. I have not written about my girls night out last night—-but it’s blessing has been echoing all day. Thank you for the lovely sisters you have given me. I love you.

Elohim Found Me

Tonight, I get to take Eva Faye and Linda to see George Janko at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center — and I’m so excited! We are J214, J215 and J216. The other day, John 2:15-17 was in a devotional I am doing with a group out of Texas. #ISWYDT

As a matter of fact, I never posted the Godwink in My GodRoom. I just checked and it was sent to none other than The George Janko Show three days ago.

Driving home from the shop last night, something beautiful happened. A new song found me. I had never heard it before, yet it felt like it was being given — like Heaven whispering through melody.

It doesn’t matter that the film is dark. It’s always Him when He records iTunes and my voice at the same time.

As promised, I looked up the song based on the captured lyrics. Absolute confirmation it was another Zephaniah 3:17 vibe moment. The song is called “Elohim.”

In the last few months, He has given me Bethel and Hillsong and Jesus Culture songs. Each time, I am reminded what He told me throughout 2024.

For a long time, I wrestled with all the NAR music stuff and the noise of the world. Now, I listen to every song with Him in mind and trust the melodies He gives me.

Around 6 am, I was nudged awake with a question in my heart. Strange nudge, no doubt. I googled, “does George Janko know anything about jiu-jitsu? Turns out, he’s a white belt! I had to laugh — George Janko, jiu-jitsu, Joe Rogan — all those “ju-ju-ju” sounds weaving together in perfect rhythm.

He’s just interviewed Tim Tebow about “Wrestling with Idolatry”. #ISWYDT. I sent his June 2024 interview with Charlie Kirk to my husband to listen to today. I will be listening as I clean out my car for tonight.

I’m curious to see what the Lord does tonight. It would be a joy to ask George Janko what makes any Godversation most memorable for him. How fun it could be to get his take on the 40 BJJ mat lessons tied to scripture!

However it goes, I’m just grateful and expectant. God keeps threading moments together I could never plan. I feel the excitement bubbling over in a way only He makes me bubble over.

Father God, thank you for all the things which are clearly working together for your good purposes. I don’t know what you have planned for us tonight, but I trust you implicitly to make this evening exactly what Miss Linda and Eva need. Bless the food we will eat, our drive in my car and our experience at The George Janko “Man on Water” show. May George be quasi-blinded in the best way for the light you shine on your three daughters in J214-216 Whatever your will, may we be clear and moving in only your will. Amen. 💜✝️💜

Catching My Breath

Truly, far more accurate to state I am breathing in Jesus and exhaling gratitude.

There is so much I want to say and write and do because the Lord just keeps showing up, showing off, and blowing me away in the best of ways.

For example, yesterday I drove to Spring Hill early in the morning to be at a doctor appointment with my daughter. She didn’t need me there, per se, but she did desire my presence. It was a pure joy to be there for her. Her boyfriend treated us both to lunch after the appointment.

Drives to work are extended now and extra powerful. This morning, there were a copious amount of cleansing tears which fed into beautiful day. Being able to help Trish, make Dawnn smile and pray for Mr. Andy’s situation with his daughters wedding this weekend were big deals to me.

With the move to one shop, there is just too much hands-on work that has to be done when I’m there to consider bringing my laptop.

But this morning, the Lord brought me back to Lamentations 3:58 again. There are two specific verbs used together precisely once in all of Scripture. They just happen to appear in Lam 3:58 and my husband and I “not-so-coincidentally” are precisely 3.58 years apart in age.

The need to study the other scriptures was too early for the lights, so I just took my Bible to the hallway to leave my husband resting. It was way too early to wake him.

It just hit me all over again how impactful that study was two plus weeks ago. Digging deeper into those verbs and where else they’re used in Scripture really stirred my heart, especially since Psalm 103 is so precious to me.

Today, I am called to acknowledge the depth of His Movement and not the linguistic details.

I want to praise the Master of the Universe for everything. I am compelled to praise in many places, like at TJ Maxx yesterday. Thank you, Jesus, for Miss Mary! Everywhere I go, you send me one of your children.

Yes, she is YOUR CHILD, even at 71!

Thank you, Father God, for getting us through the move safely and for all the good progress made on our remaining shop. As an added little added blessing, I called the sign people today, and although they’re delayed, the gentleman who called me back actually leads a men’s group. My husband’s planning to join them tomorrow night at 7.

Praise God for divine appointments! Thank you, Jesus, for making today spectacular in so many ways. I love you.

Crafty Creekmont

Saturday morning came very early, but the Lord met me before the sun did. I had prayed the night before that I would wake up before my alarm so I wouldn’t disturb my husband, and He did exactly that. Even though we were worn out from moving the shop on Friday — the kind of tired that sinks into your bones — I woke with enough strength, enough peace, and enough joy to step into the day He had prepared.

I slipped out quietly, left the house at 7:15, and arrived early to the women’s conference at our new church. My first one — ever. There was something tender about that, walking into a space I’d never occupied before, with a group of women I’m only beginning to know, yet already sensing God’s gentle stitching at the seams of new community.

Breakfast was sweet fellowship. I sat with Anatha, Hester, Tina, and Becky — each one warm, kind, and gracious in her own way. We talked, we laughed, and there was that familiar peace that only the Spirit can knit between hearts.

Then Anatha shared her testimony and led us in praise. It was raw and beautiful — the kind of sharing that reminds you God is always working, always redeeming, always inviting us deeper.

We did a little craft together — simple, hands-on worship — and it felt good to slow down long enough to create something with my hands. Miss Pam and Randy laser cut all the pieces for us to do this craft.

Father God, thank you for clearing the rubble. I don’t think it’s any coincidence Hurricane Melissa was creating worldly conflict in Jamaica and elsewhere—-reminding me of how I wrestled with Torah teachings which fail to include your spirit this time last year.

#ISWYDT

Afterward, we shared lunch, and the sweetness of that table lingered long after the dishes were cleared.

I even brought leftovers home for my husband — a small thing, but it felt like carrying home a piece of the day, a little offering from the fellowship I’d been welcomed into.

Creekmont Women’s Conference

It was a truly lovely day — quiet, nourishing, gentle in all the ways I needed. I especially appreciated the deeper Godversation with Tina and Anatha. Both now have my phone number.

Arriving home, I succumbed to a wonderful nap “by my stream”. When I woke, we agreed to go spend the last two hours of Jenn’s Twelve Year Tenure with her at the one shop we still own.

Of all the things we could have given Jenn, we gave her our hearts. My husband will be driving the truck with all her belongings to Wisconsin for Jenn in two weeks. I was nudged to give her the craft I made and she was beyond thrilled.

The day was beautiful and blessed. Thank you, Jesus.

7 Stone

There’s a tenderness in the way the Lord works on us.
He does not rush His miracles.

Each time something new is revealed, it feels like the perfect stone placed to mark my spiritual path. I know He is leading me somewhere new. I catch glimpses and it’s beyond beautiful.

For example, it’s impossible for me to see “Emerald” and Judah together without considering the Wizard of Oz. And , just that thought causes me to remember in the last week or two, writing about OZ in Hebrew.

He peels away stumbling stones, sorrow and shame in more than one way. In the past three years, “7 Stone” have been circumcised by His Hand from my body.

My mom loves British entertainment and my daughter has a thing about calling me “mum” from time to time. I dig the “stone” being 14 pounds.

As of today, I am still down 98 pounds since March 2022. It has been a slow process.

It has never felt like simple “weight loss.” It has felt like holy surgery to remove weight from my body and my heart.

It’s like the Good Lord deep cleaned my entire being. just as much from my heart. Seven stone removed and a new softness restored. This has not been punishment in the least.

Ezekiel saw it:


The LORD meant it — not only for Israel then, but for all of us now, in every season where we find ourselves hardened, tired, or carrying more than we were meant to hold.

I can look back and see where the heaviness began — layers of protection, fear, grief, duty, and old stories that once kept me alive but had begun to weigh me down. And in His kindness, God did not shame me. He simply began removing what no longer belonged to me.

Piece by piece. Pound by pound. Thought by thought. Layer by layer.

This journey has not been about numbers on a scale, but obedience, softness, and freedom.
He has been making room — in my body, in my breath, in my heart — for more light, more love, more life.

I am lighter now, inside and out. Not because I forced change, but because I yielded to the One who knows how to shape hearts and futures. The cutting has been covenant. The softening has been grace. And I am learning to stand here — new, tender, grateful — knowing He is still completing the work He began.

Thank you, Jesus. I sure do love you. 💜✝️💜